Japanese Garden at New Otani Hotel

Ueno

flowers and leaves

Meiji Jingu

Sensoji

Three more lessons from Sogetsu Kaikan

(2) 12/11 (Tue): I went back to Ohki sensei's class Tuesday night. Chose two different line materials, Mitsumata and Horse tail. It was difficult. It took me more than an hour to finish the arrangement, which was unusual. Normally I will finish an arrangement within 10 to 15 minutes. But I learned a lot. Take time to study the materials. Now I believe in Sogetsu school, you can use any materials to make Ikebana.

(3) 12/13 (Thurs): Seiko Ozawa's class. Back to Christmas arrangement. Wanted to do something different, ended up with an OK arrangement.

(1) 12/14 (Friday): Men's class. Yes, the class is for men only. I'll write a story later.

Workshops and Iemoto classes

Sogetsu Kaikan

Traditional Japanese Tea room

Teacher`s workshop at Sogetsu Kaikan

The workshops and iemoto classes at Sogetsu Kaikan are different than any classes I took before. We have to choose our own materials and containers, based on the theme of the class or workshop. In this case, you are to express the arrangement. It`s difficult, but rewarding.

The first is Christmas theme. Of course, I choose red, white, and green. I used the orange/red glass container to match the red berries.

The second is using the dry materials. I don`t know the name of the dry seed pods. We have in Arizona, but I never used before. I also chose to use gloriosa, and used a metal container.

The third is using special material. I chose vine and a kind of pod material (sorry, don`t know the name).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (ii)

(1) Keeyen (two views)

(2) Jingmei

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This is our last lesson of the year. I'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow. I'll study Ikebana at Sogetsu Kaikan, two teacher's workshops, and two Iemoto's classes. After Tokyo, I'll go to China to spend two weeks with my family. Classes will resume in the new Year. (Jan.4 (Friday), 2008)

Today's theme is Christmas and New Year. I chose to use Juniper, Pine, heather, and mums.

(1) Mary: Lovely arrangement, the arrangement shows movement.

(2) Donna C.: Two tier container. To have a successful arrangement, unifying the top and bottom is the key.

(3) Donna S.: Excellent arrangement. Color, Mass.

(4) Eileen: Also a very successful arrangement, use the opening of the container to have one branch coming out horizontally, as if on the cliff.

(5) Weiping: Joyful arrangement.